61 Multiplication Table

Lin Xiaoyue took the list and went to the cashier.

When he saw Lin Xiaoyue, he looked happy.

“Thanks.” A hint of suspicion flashed through Lin Xiaoyue’s heart, and she handed the list to the cashier.

“You’re welcome.”

Then he took the abacus and a draft paper and started calculating.

Seeing that Lin Xiaoyue didn’t move, he stopped and looked at her.

“You try calculating too,” he said to her.

“Oh, okay” she replied and took out a pen and paper.

Chef Liu told her that they would check the accounts every five days and correct the mistakes if there were any.

She remembered how she calculated the amount in front of him the other day and was worried that he might think that she was showing off, so she didn’t want to do it again.

She didn’t expect him to ask her to.

Since he asked, she didn’t mind doing it.

Then she quickly produced the answer.

He was very surprised to see how quickly she did it.

He continued to fiddle with the abacus, then he looked at Lin Xiaoyue again.

“How much is it?” The cashier asked Lin Xiaoyue without telling her his answer.

“Five taels, two hundred and thirty-eight coins,” Lin Xiaoyue answered.

The cashier’s eyes lit up and he stood up immediately.

“How did you do it?” He asked Lin Xiaoyue excitedly.

Lin Xiaoyue was surprised.

Only then did the cashier realize that he might have seemed rude.

He quickly stood up and bowed to Lin Xiaoyue.

“I’m Liang Chengcai. I’m really curious about the way you calculate. May I ask you for some advice?” He said solemnly.

Lin Xiaoyue was stunned. Then, she immediately understood what was going on.

“Oh, I used the multiplication table,” she said.

Liang Chengcai’s eyes lit up.

“What’s the multiplication table?” He hurriedly asked.

Lin Xiaoyue’s face stiffened.

“Um… I don’t think I can explain it at the moment,” she replied awkwardly.

She was in a hurry to go around town and didn’t have the time to teach him the multiplication table.

However, this gave her an idea. Her brother was not in school yet, and she did not know anything about the imperial examinations in this era, but she could teach him arithmetic.

“When are you free?” Liang Chengcai quickly asked. He didn’t seem to get the hint that she was not interested.

“Um… well, Mr. Liang. My…my family is quite poor, and I have a lot of things to do every day, so I really don’t have the time…” Did she have to be so obvious?

Liang Chengcai paused.

“I’m sorry,” he quickly bowed and apologized to Lin Xiaoyue.

“No worries, “Lin Xiaoyue quickly waved her hand. She was not used to others being so respectful to her.

“Miss, I am willing to give you fifty taels of silver to teach me the quick calculation method.” Liang Chengcai bowed again.

Lin Xiaoyue was stunned. She quickly stopped herself from refusing.

“Five… fifty taels?” She stuttered and asked.

Liang Chengcai looked at Lin Xiaoyue and thought that she was still hesitating. He quickly said, “I’ll pay you fifty taels first. After I learn it, I’ll give you another twenty taels as a thank you gift!”

Seven… seventy taels? Lin Xiaoyue’s heart trembled. Was this…the power of knowledge?

“Deal!” She immediately said.